I stopped doing game recaps last week because the views fell off a cliff—but eff it—someone asked me to bring them back and what is Deadseriousness if not a passion project that only myself and a handful of distinguished gentlemen and fair ladies sneak a little taste of on their phones when no one’s around—Russell Westbrook eating dinner on the bench.
The Utah Jazz just beat the Chicago Bulls, 150-147.
The Utah Jazz scored one hundred and fifty points.
The Utah Jazz gave up one hundred and forty-seven points.
Sickos, gather, we have to talk about a double-overtime thriller in the middle of November in the heart of the NFL season.
The return of Coby White
The story of this game cannot be told without making space for the reintroduction of Coby White—a guy who averaged 20.4 points per game last season—into a Chicago Bulls team, cooled off from their hot start, but still built an early-season foundation of minor success without him.
Coby White returned carrying a serving tray full of buckets for everyone and their mothers, including the game-tying layup with 0.2 seconds left in overtime to force another overtime.
COBY WHITE WITH THE CLUTCH OT BASKET. @COBYWHITE | @CHSN__ pic.twitter.com/aTBSNzmcLu
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 17, 2025
Here’s what Coby White did in his 2025-2026 debut:
- 27 points
- 8 assists
- 4 rebounds
- 1 steal
- 5-for-14 from the field
- 3 threes
- 14 free throws
The Bulls needed a guy capable of getting to the rim whenever he wants—generating 14 easy free throw attempts.
Josh Giddey can get to the paint and make correct passes but his handle is still too care-free—6 turnovers Sunday night, 4 or more turnovers in 6 of the 10 games he’s played so far this season.
I’d feel far safer with Coby White dribbling, game on the line, than Josh Giddey—who very well could end the posession finding Nikola Vucevic on a roll to the basket—or could just as easily have a defender slap the ball away from him when he’s casually dribbling up to his ears—Harlem Globetrotting against a child at some local summer camp.
Chicago will need Coby’s scoring but defensively, Coby White makes the Chicago Bulls losers.
At the end of the game, Utah’s entire offensive strategy: attack Coby White.
Once you beat Chicago’s perimeter defense, it’s Nikola Vucevic at the rim—not leaving the ground when he tries to jump—like his knees bend and he gets to his toes—like, you can tell he’s trying to jump, but his sneakers never get off the hardwood—opposing players layup lining on him all night long.
I understand an Anthony Davis trade comes with risk—AD oft-injured—looking 30 pounds heavier only 6 months into his tenure in Dallas—aging like Joe Budden.
But the Chicago Bulls just gave up 150 points to the Utah Jazz. An NBA championship is lightyears away, ranking 22nd in points allowed.
Anthony Davis may always be hurt but it’s ambitious—it’s actually trying something instead of protecting your job, play-in adjacent, easy mode, no real stakes.
AD protecting the rim, catching Josh Giddey lobs, Bulls in 4.
Free Lauri Markkanen
Lauri.
Markkanen.
Masterclass.47 POINTS to get above 30 PPG for the season and power Utah’s 2OT win! pic.twitter.com/DNvHHEhz5a
— NBA (@NBA) November 17, 2025
- 47 points
- 15-for-33 from the field
- 6 threes
- 7 rebounds
- 2 assists
- 2 steals
- 11 free throws
Lauri Markkanen is averaging 30.6 points per game.
He’s the 5th leading scorer in the NBA.
Utah has won 2 of their last 3—scoring 150 in both wins.
Lauri is the lightning rod igniting one of the most high-powered offenses in the league, as we all predicted.
Markkanen’s game is oozing with this confidence he’s never shown—he believes every shot he takes is going in.
Truly approaching superstar status—singlehandedly willing this team to a 5-8 record they do not deserve.
I’d prefer Lauri stay in Utah—especially with Keyonte George and Ace Bailey and whatever top player they get in next year’s draft and the vets they acquire around them—the Jazz’s return to relevance looming.
But who knows if we’ll even be alive next year. My logo is a hammer and sickle. I imagine there’s a Palantir drone above my head, waiting for its orders to strike.
I want to see Lauri play meaningful basketball today.
Ace, you good?
Ace Bailey looked good to start this game—5 early points in 6 minutes.
A dunk off his own missed 3 and then an open 3 a minute later.
Then gone.
Ace, in foul trouble the entire game, ended the first half with 4 fouls—GTA stars, sirens blaring whenever he stepped onto the court. Ace Bailey committed 6 fouls in 10 minutes. A total non-factor.
He’s a rookie. these nights occur—I, too, was on some bullshit my freshman year at Stony Brook—but unfortunately, I drafted Ace Bailey to my fantasy basketball team, the first year I ever decided to do fantasy basketball. My starting five is in hell (Kawhi, OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson are not playing basketball at the moment. Hate that for me.)
Please stop reaching in.
I’m 0-4.
Help me.
Thanks for reading.
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